Houzz TV: Working With Reclaimed Wood
See how a master woodworker turns old beat-up wood into clean, usable pieces for furniture
Mitchell Parker
6 April 2017
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Raun Meyn is a third-generation craftsman. His material of choice? Reclaimed wood. He uses it to make desks, tables, dressers, beds, bookcases, accent walls and more, a lot of which can be found in his own home. In this video, Meyn shares tips and tricks for finding and selecting a good piece of reclaimed wood.
Watch now: See Meyn’s tips for selecting reclaimed wood
Meyn, seen here in his wood shop, finds reclaimed wood everywhere – barns, torn-down sound barriers at an airport, an old city water tower. He takes the pieces to his shop to sand or plane them down into clean pieces of usable timber that’s full of character.
Meyn, seen here in his wood shop, finds reclaimed wood everywhere – barns, torn-down sound barriers at an airport, an old city water tower. He takes the pieces to his shop to sand or plane them down into clean pieces of usable timber that’s full of character.
Here, Meyn examines a 70- to 90-year-old piece of standard yellow pine covered in nail holes and stains. He recommends preserving elements like those to show off the wood’s beauty.
The older the wood, the better, Meyn says. Old-growth wood with a tight grain pattern indicates the piece is more structurally sound. A denser board will ultimately make a stronger piece of furniture.
The older the wood, the better, Meyn says. Old-growth wood with a tight grain pattern indicates the piece is more structurally sound. A denser board will ultimately make a stronger piece of furniture.
Meyn is holding a piece of tar-covered white pine wood he got from a demolished water tower. He’ll plane it down to remove the tar and turn it into a clean piece of timber, as shown next to it. “Any piece of wood can be brought back to life,” he says. “And you’ll always have an interesting story to tell when you’re done.”
Watch now: Get more tips for working with reclaimed wood
Watch now: Get more tips for working with reclaimed wood
Related Stories
Houzz Around The World
London Houzz: Tour a Contemporary Loft in an Old Victorian School
Watch and read how a design firm updated this light and airy apartment in an old block with sleek style and warm touches
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Spacious Contemporary Coastal Home in Australia
A designer shares how she created elegant spaces with clean lines, custom details and glass walls that frame ocean views
Full Story
Kitchens
Houzz TV: Tour a Classic Blue-and-White Mosman Kitchen
By Houzz AU
First we published the story, now we offer a video tour of the classic makeover of this dated Sydney kitchen
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Houzz TV: An Elegant London Apartment Makeover in 40 Days!
In this video, a designer found on Houzz gives a peek into a luxe sanctuary created remotely in 40 days
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Tour a Light-filled London Home With a Soothing Coastal Palette
Watch and read how a designer found on Houzz updated a Modernist home with warm finishes and colours that evoke the sea
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Take a Look Inside a Light & Airy Home in White, Wood & Black
Watch and read how a designer created a new home for a couple using wide-open spaces with casual but refined style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Tour a Victorian Home in the UK, Updated for Modern Life
Watch and read how a major renovation gave a narrow home a more open feel and a fresh, contemporary style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Visit a US Interior Designer’s Beautiful Long Beach Island House
Watch and read how Karen Wolf created a relaxing family getaway with a durable coastal style
Full Story
Houzz TV
Visit an Open and Airy Southern California Home With Ocean Views
In this video, see how a couple worked with an architect found on Houzz to build a stylish custom home fit for the beach
Full Story
Houzz TV
Peek Inside The Stylish Forever Home of an Empty Nester Couple
See and read how a designer renovated a kitchen and bathroom for US clients seeking to age in place
Full Story
"Hey, Houzzers". Love it. :)
Great video, thanks! Can I ask you Raun or anyone .... what would be your choices as far as using the least toxic, most durable, finishing products?
We want 100 year old pine to not only match what was used in our home but to also replicate the original trim that is still the majority of the wood in the house, (picture trim like this but not painted). Finding old pine we can afford is an issue. Loved the video.